Chilled Smashed Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

1 lb cucumbers
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 ½  tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 
1 ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoon soy sauce
½  teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/4 cup sliced green onions
chili oil (optional)

Directions

1. Using a meat mallet, rolling pin, pestle, or even a can, smash the cucumbers until they split open on the sides.

2. Cut the cucumbers into 1-inch chunks and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt, toss, and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain any excess liquid from the bowl.

3. In a small bowl, whisk the rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, soy sauce and sugar until combined.

4. Drizzle the mixture over the cucumbers, sprinkle with cilantro and green onions, and toss.

5. Serve immediately with a drizzle of chili oil if desired.

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Quick Tip

• Smashing cucumbers cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into craggy pieces. The pieces have exposed the centers that allows vegetables to dry out more and lets seasoning permeate the cucumbers faster.